Women...who do they dress for?

I've recently had to opportunity to observe a curious spectacle that I had caught hints of before, but never from a perspective this close. Long story short, here it goes:

So this girl I know and hang out with (but we're not dating) by the name of Jen has always dressed well, demure and modest. She's one of these women who you think are on their way to church until you realize it's Tuesday. She dresses like that, and always has.

Until this other girl, Tina, started coming around, that is. Tina dresses somewhat provocatively but not going so far as the 'fuck me' outfits. Pretty good amounts of cleavage, sometimes an exposed midriff, etc.

Suddenly, I see Jen start dropping her neckline and her skirts started going up. I watched the secret, unspoken contest between these two women play out for a few weeks and finally asked Jen something about it.

"We dress like this for you guys, it's not like we wear clothes like this at home."

I called bullshit. She's not dressing like that for any man, she's dressing like that because she's trying to 'out-do' Tina. Period. She's jealous.

Women hate other women, I swear. This is just one example of two women playing the one-upmanship game, but what kinda stands on my last nerve is instead of just admitting that they're competing against each other, they have to pin the 'blame' as it were on my gender.

Personally I prefer demure dress to sexy, it leaves more to unravel later.

So, GB, who is right? Do women dress sexy for men or to steal the thunder from the other women in the room?

Holy stereotyping batman. So, if one of your friends is dressing like a slut to outdo your other slut friends, that means that all women are sluts trying to do outdo their slutty friends? Pretty clear logic.

It's a bit of both. They are competing for our attention and to do that they have to out-do each other. So if they think we're giving more attention to the one that is dressed more provocatively they will probably start showing a bit more skin, or doing whatever they think is winning the attention.

I've had a girl tell me that it comes down to one thing which you did say though.. " Women hate other women". Whether they admit it themselves or not, competition is part of human nature.

@Fajita_Jim: As a chick, I'd say both. Yes, they're trying to outdo each other. And getting a guy to notice is part of that.

However, it could also simply be that your friend didn't really have the confidence to dress like that until she started hanging out with this other girl. I have a friend who never wore anything but jeans and hoodies till her and I started hanging out. I practically dressed her out of my closet sometimes so she would at least look a little more feminine before we go double date for dinner or something. Now she at least makes sure to have cute tops on under the hoodies lol

" Holy stereotyping batman. So, if one of your friends is dressing like a slut to outdo your other slut friends, that means that all women are sluts trying to do outdo their slutty friends? Pretty clear logic. "

Way to comprehend the point, Robin. Back to the Bat-Boy room.

FYI, the word "ALL" appeared 0 times in my entire post. The only scope I gave was as follows: This is just one example of two women

" It's a bit of both. They are competing for our attention and to do that they have to out-do each other. So if they think we're giving more attention to the one that is dressed more provocatively they will probably start showing a bit more skin, or doing whatever they think is winning the attention. I've had a girl tell me that it comes down to one thing which you did say though.. " Women hate other women". Whether they admit it themselves or not, competition is part of human nature. But what do I know, I'm not a Chemist. "

But why do women think all men automatically prefer more skin? I prefer an evening gown over a mini skirt, for instance.

Talk about an automatic stereotype. "He's a guy, if I show more cleavage he'll pay more attention to me." Not this guy, lady.

" Holy stereotyping batman. So, if one of your friends is dressing like a slut to outdo your other slut friends, that means that all women are sluts trying to do outdo their slutty friends? Pretty clear logic. "

Way to comprehend the point, Robin. Back to the Bat-Boy room.

FYI, the word "ALL" appeared 0 times in my entire post. The only scope I gave was as follows: This is just one example of two women "

When you say Women, its implied you mean at least most women which is still stereotyping. You also said those two women were examples of what women feel of each other.

" It's a bit of both. They are competing for our attention and to do that they have to out-do each other. So if they think we're giving more attention to the one that is dressed more provocatively they will probably start showing a bit more skin, or doing whatever they think is winning the attention. I've had a girl tell me that it comes down to one thing which you did say though.. " Women hate other women". Whether they admit it themselves or not, competition is part of human nature. But what do I know, I'm not a Chemist. "

But why do women think all men automatically prefer more skin? I prefer an evening gown over a mini skirt, for instance. Talk about an automatic stereotype. "He's a guy, if I show more cleavage he'll pay more attention to me." Not this guy, lady. "

Again, it's not necessarily about men. It's also simply a self-confidence thing. A woman who has cleavage to show feels more self confident than the woman in a baggy t-shirt hiding that she's flat as a washboard. And the latter is wearing a big baggy t-shirt because she cant properly fill a lot of the cuter stuff that may not be provocative.

From what I can tell, unless you meet one of those "manic pixie dream girls" who just don't give a fuck about who they impress, girls dress for the most part (either knowingly or not) for others, not to mention the fact that society dictates that we all have to wear clothing.

I used to really like fixing myself up a ton, buying clothes, putting gel in my hair, wearing clean shoes, etc. Now, I've gotten so lazy that I never iron anything anymore, I've worn the same shoes day after day after day and I just shave my head instead of actually bothering to fix it in any manner. I still subconsciously dress myself though because I want to impress (even though, let's face it, I'm not all that impressive looking). Some girls, even if they won't admit it, are the same way.

I/my female friends dress modestly, but in a way that doesn't make me look like a slob. Well-fitted jeans, t-shirt or tank top, a few accessories. I've never felt the urge to dress revealingly, and to be honest, I really don't enjoy the way I look, so revealing a lot of skin or wearing something super feminine would make me uncomfortable. The guys who I hang out with (some of who have asked me out) don't seem to mind, so it's not an issue.

" Holy stereotyping batman. So, if one of your friends is dressing like a slut to outdo your other slut friends, that means that all women are sluts trying to do outdo their slutty friends? Pretty clear logic. "

Way to comprehend the point, Robin. Back to the Bat-Boy room.

FYI, the word "ALL" appeared 0 times in my entire post. The only scope I gave was as follows: This is just one example of two women "

When you say Women, its implied you mean at least most women which is still stereotyping. You also said those two women were examples of what women feel of each other. "

Women is the plural ofr woman. If there are women in the room, that can mean anything from 2-infinity. You're just reading into it what you want to, rather than what I said.

" It's a bit of both. They are competing for our attention and to do that they have to out-do each other. So if they think we're giving more attention to the one that is dressed more provocatively they will probably start showing a bit more skin, or doing whatever they think is winning the attention. I've had a girl tell me that it comes down to one thing which you did say though.. " Women hate other women". Whether they admit it themselves or not, competition is part of human nature. But what do I know, I'm not a Chemist. "

But why do women think all men automatically prefer more skin? I prefer an evening gown over a mini skirt, for instance. Talk about an automatic stereotype. "He's a guy, if I show more cleavage he'll pay more attention to me." Not this guy, lady. "

Again, it's not necessarily about men. It's also simply a self-confidence thing. A woman who has cleavage to show feels more self confident than the woman in a baggy t-shirt hiding that she's flat as a washboard. And the latter is wearing a big baggy t-shirt because she cant properly fill a lot of the cuter stuff that may not be provocative. "

Personally, I find this more feminine and hot:

Than this:

It's insulting when women think I prefer the latter simply because I have a penis.

WOMEN HATE OTHER WOMEN.....only when they are better looking of course otherwise it doesn't matter. also she prob has confidence issues otherwise she wouldn't feel the need to dress that way. plain and simple. i bet shes less attractive, the one trying to dress more sexy then originally.

" @Fajita_Jim: But see, you're also being sexist by taking it that far. We could simply be talking about the difference between:

This girl wearing a big, baggie guys-sized Horde JINX hoodie

or this girl wearing girls-sized Horde JINX hoodie

"

Am I? I thought I was pretty clear in my description of what they were wearing, I didn't realize anyone would read into it any other way. I am most defiantly NOT talking about those styles, but rather more like the two pics I posted above. Jen dresses (dressed) as in the first pic and Tina as in the second. I am most certainly not making a comment on all fashions and women, just two particular women and their respective fashions, nothing more.

I just find it interesting that one can influence the other in such a way, and that both seem to think its for the men in their lives.

" Holy stereotyping batman. So, if one of your friends is dressing like a slut to outdo your other slut friends, that means that all women are sluts trying to do outdo their slutty friends? Pretty clear logic. "

Way to comprehend the point, Robin. Back to the Bat-Boy room.

FYI, the word "ALL" appeared 0 times in my entire post. The only scope I gave was as follows: This is just one example of two women "

When you say Women, its implied you mean at least most women which is still stereotyping. You also said those two women were examples of what women feel of each other. "

Women is the plural ofr woman. If there are women in the room, that can mean anything from 2-infinity. You're just reading into it what you want to, rather than what I said. "

when you say "Women hate other women, I swear," you would be referring to at least 4 wimmins.

" I am sexier then any other chick and I will take on any clothing contest with pleasure. That, or I murder her and dump her body. And if a guy happens to notice (the sexy clothing part, not the body dumping), that's cool, two birds with one stone right? Like Melcene says, its good to show your strong points. That's why I like muscled men in tanktops...if you're hiding underneath a sweater how can I ever fall in love with your biceps? "

Am I? I thought I was pretty clear in my description of what they were wearing, I didn't realize anyone would read into it any other way. I am most defiantly NOT talking about those styles, but rather more like the two pics I posted above. Jen dresses (dressed) as in the first pic and Tina as in the second. I am most certainly not making a comment on all fashions and women, just two particular women and their respective fashions, nothing more. I just find it interesting that one can influence the other in such a way, and that both seem to think its for the men in their lives. "

Bullshit. Jen didn't walk around wearing evening gowns all day, and you as much as admitted that Tina didn't walk around in hooker attire. So I'm trying to bring it to everyday wear.

" Holy stereotyping batman. So, if one of your friends is dressing like a slut to outdo your other slut friends, that means that all women are sluts trying to do outdo their slutty friends? Pretty clear logic. "

Way to comprehend the point, Robin. Back to the Bat-Boy room.

FYI, the word "ALL" appeared 0 times in my entire post. The only scope I gave was as follows: This is just one example of two women "

When you say Women, its implied you mean at least most women which is still stereotyping. You also said those two women were examples of what women feel of each other. "

Women is the plural ofr woman. If there are women in the room, that can mean anything from 2-infinity. You're just reading into it what you want to, rather than what I said. "

when you say "Women hate other women, I swear," you would be referring to at least 4 wimmins. "

Notice how that sentence is it's own paragraph (edit: I just looked, the break didn't take so looks like its the start of the next paragraph, damn GB text editor), with no supporting sentences and no clarification behind it? It's an off-the-cuff, not-really-serious, shaking-my-head-and-whistling-between-my-teeth remark. Make of it what you will.

I would think age factors in quite a bit. But yeah, we do dress to impress and attract. But sometimes you don't want to feel like the lone frumpy chick in a room full of mini skirts (cue societal pressure). Self Confidence is a huge variable.

" I would think age factors in quite a bit. But yeah, we do dress to impress and attract. But sometimes you don't want to feel like the lone frumpy chick in a room full of mini skirts (cue societal pressure). Self Confidence is a huge variable. "